Editorials

Mississippi is one of nine states that lost population last year, although the loss was only a tenth of 1 percent. Continuing population declines in the Delta have been a big factor. Last month, a glimmer of hope emerged when a California outsourcing company with Indian roots, People Shores, announced plans to hire 200 people in Clarksdale.

Here it is the end of January, and I’m only now finding time to make those annoying resolutions. I shouldn’t call them annoying, because a national business magazine says that 60 percent of Americans indulge in this fantasy each year.

We are spending millions of dollars keeping people addicted to drugs in the criminal justice system. We could be using that money to restore them to their families and communities through evidence-based treatment. As a therapist, I’ve counseled many people struggling to overcome addiction.